harmonia mundi (en)

The origins of these concertos, performed here by Kristian Bezuidenhout, may each be traced to a woman. The so-called “Jeunehomme” Concerto, K. 271, a vehicle for rather unexpected musical daring, could instead take its nickname from the work’s dedicatee: the piano virtuoso Louise Victoire Jenamy, daughter of Mozart’s old friend, the dancer Noverre. As for K. 456, cast in a more traditional mould yet so elaborate and seductive, it was apparently composed for Maria Theresia von Paradis, a blind pianist acclaimed throughout Europe. Two works distinctly different in character, while somehow being aptly complementary…